EIC Impact Report 2025: EIC on track as leading deep-tech investor, mobilising €2.6 billion of additional investment

Celebrating its fourth anniversary at the annual EIC Summit on 2 and 3 April 2025, the European Innovation Council presented the EIC Impact Report 2025.

The report demonstrates the significant progress the EIC has made to become the investor of choice for European deep tech entrepreneurs. Here are some highlights from his year’s edition.

EIC Fund’s impressive investment record

The EIC Fund has emerged as a leading early-stage technology investor in Europe. It has completed over 150 investment rounds in start-ups and SMEs, under Horizon Europe, including 60 rounds in 2024 alone.
The Fund has also attracted more than €2.6 billion in co-investment in direct equity rounds, primarily from private investors, equating to over €3 of additional investment for every euro of EIC Fund’s direct investment since it was established in 2020.

Accelerating start-up growth

The EIC has been instrumental in accelerating the growth trajectory of start-ups. Over 70 EIC-backed companies have attained ‘centaur’ status, with valuations exceeding €100 million, and six of these companies are valued at over €500 million.
On average, EIC-backed companies experience a 50% increase in both employment and turnover within two years of receiving an EIC award.
Through EIC Business Acceleration Services, 230 business deals have been facilitated with corporates, investors, procurers, and other partners.

Creating a pipeline of new technologies

The EIC has played a pivotal role in generating new technologies from Europe’s research base. EIC Pathfinder and Transition projects have spawned over 1300 innovations and have led to the creation of more than 100 spinout companies.
This includes close to 100 projects that are commercialising results from the European Research Council, showcasing the EIC’s role in translating research into market-ready innovations.

Background information

Focusing on the Horizon Europe portfolio, the report covers approximately 706 start-ups, 402 advanced research projects, and 183 projects aimed at commercialising research results funded between 2021-2024. It also addresses the long-term impacts of projects and companies supported during the EIC pilot phase and its predecessor.